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Bald Eagles Come Back to Nest at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Posted: 1/24/2013

A view across the Station Road bridge.

Brecksville, Ohio – Returning bald eagles are actively building a nest in a new tree within the Pinery Narrows area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). To protect the eagles from human disturbance, the area surrounding the nest tree will be closed until July 31. The Pinery Narrows area is north of Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville, Ohio.

While the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail remains open, the National Park Service will close the following areas:

The railroad tracks, and 30 foot right of way on either side of the railroad tracks, are closed to all pedestrian traffic from the Rt. 82 Bridge at Station Road Visitor Use Area, north to the railroad tracks at the Fitzwater Yard.

The Cuyahoga River downstream of the Brecksville (Rt.82) Dam to the Fitzwater Road Bridge is closed to all water activities (fishing, wading, and boating). Fishing is permitted at the dam.

Please observe any posted restrictions within the eagle nesting zone.

In late winter eagles lay one to three eggs that are incubated for approximately 35 days. Eagle eggs are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures so adults must remain on the nest constantly. Human disturbance can disrupt this constant care, jeopardizing nesting success.

Although recently removed from the endangered species list, the bald eagle is still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Both federal laws prohibit taking, killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs. Bald eagles returned to the Cuyahoga Valley in 2006, after an absence of 70 years.

CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. For more information visit www.nps.gov/cuva or call 330-657-2752.

Follow the Canalway

A Towpath was a Towing Path Bicyclists and walkers on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail today follow the same path that in the 1800s was used by mules and mule-drivers to pull canal boats—with some exceptions. Canal Fever , KSU Press, 2009 More »